All posts by Graham

Though it's assembled in Japan, the latest FIAT Spider is as close as many of us will get to buying a new Italian sports car, Alfa 4C notwithstanding. Final assembly takes place in Mazda's Hiroshima assembly plant, while Termoli, Italy is the origin of the 1.4L MultiAir powerplant The exterior is convincingly Italian, if a bit overwrought.

Reviews are mixed on FIAT's alterations to the Miata formula. For one, critics generally favor the Mazda powertrain to the torquier FIAT unit. On the suspension side, the FIAT reportedly corners with less body roll, which is great for transient response, but can rob ultimate grip, which plays a large part in driver confidence in a small sports car. Further, while the Miata saw an upgraded transmission with its latest redesign, the FIAT is stuck with the old Miata gearbox - never an outright bad thing, but inferior in this case. But, we haven't driven the new Spider yet, so we'll reserve judgement for our first test drive.

Keeping in tradition with the intent of a sports car, this base "Classico" model is low on frills. Nice touches, such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather shift boot maintain a respectable level of appointment inside the cabin. The base model wheels are arguably the prettiest on offer, and do complement the retro feel of the design with a more traditional aspect ratio tire. If tan cloth were available, we would have selected it, but currently only black cloth is available on the Classico models.

Would we put our money into a new Spider? Well, we haven't had the chance to test drive one yet, so we don't know how well it would stack up to a Miata for us. We test drove the new Miata in spring of 2016 and were rather impressed with the old school sports car feel, not to mention the proper sporty exhaust note. As far as appearance goes, we'd probably vote in favor of the Miata as well. That said, we do prefer to drive an Italian car when available, so our solution would be to buy a Miata and slap some Alfa emblems and Spider badges on - best of both worlds!

Periodically, one will spot a Lancia Thema 8.32 for sale, usually in an opportunistic import & flip scenario. As recently as March 2015, a nice specimen of this rare, Ferrari-powered FWD Italian executive saloon appeared on this site with an enthusiastic (Ferrari sounds) yet cautionary (better be friends with a Ferrari mechanic) CICFS analysis.

Was the 8.32 European royalty in its day, albeit perhaps an elusive monarch who was admired but few ever saw (e.g., Queen Beatrix)? Let’s say that I witnessed exactly one example during my three years in Germany. As a breathless attendee of the 1987 Bremen Auto Show, I recall there being but two cars on display that were locked from peasant-entry: the Porsche 959 and the Lancia 8.32 (feel free to insert obligatory Italian central-locking reliability joke).

Many of you know how this almost-mythical four-door 308 come to be. In an automotive act akin to NATO’s settling on a 120 MM smooth-bore cannon for its various members’ main battle tanks (my earlier M1 had a relatively skinny-necked, rifled 105 MM main gun), the Swedes and Italians developed the Type Four platform to underpin the Saab 9000, Fiat Croma, Alfa Romeo 164, and Lancia Thema, respectively. That cooperation begat attractive, space-efficient, and relatively-mainstream 1980’s – 1990’s sedans that, naturally, spawned special editions such as the Alfa 164Q; Saab 9000 Aero; not sure if I recall the Chroma’s flagship; and of course, the 8.32.

We all know what’s happened with competing sedans of that era. Cosworth 190E’s have become scarce, both in the U.S. and in Europe, with pricing well along the hockey stick trajectory. Surviving Alfa 164Q’s and Milano Verde’s are more common, but values have also risen somewhat. To the CIAFS staff, prices of 8.32 listed have seemed optimistic, as if the admittedly-cool Ferrari component makes the car worth five times more than, say, a 9000 Aero in similar condition. Armed with our recent successful self-import of a 1991 MB 300CE-24 with dogleg stick and Hugo Boss-style cloth interior, our senior (oldest) staffer concluded one recent winter’s night that he’s savvy enough to try his luck with an 8.32. Abetting that transaction were a very forthright seller, a Bosch shop owner acting in a quasi-consignment capacity, plus an exploratory visit from Blythbros before money changed hands. Such factors aren’t likely to converge for future searches. Moreover, given our German-language skills and many warnings about buying a used car in Italy (with our considerable Sicilian bloodlines, we’re allowed that act of discrimination), we’ve narrowed the search for Germany. We’ll count on a combination of the attributes described in the ad, photo quality, and gut feel. And of course, U.S. importation laws (some combination of EPA, DOT, and Customs) do not allow cars of less than 25 years’ age.

The first candidate was a beautiful private-party car near Nürnberg with relatively low kilometers, extensive records including a recent timing belt, and a fair price. The market agreed, and the car lasted mere days. We’re therefore describing a dealer-listed car with great attributes and a killer front plate. The August 1991 manufacture date makes it legal, and the claimed 170,000 KM equates to around 4,000 miles annually. Maintenance records would reveal whether this is a just-out-of-storage example that would need attention to gaskets, fuel system, suspension components, tires, etc. The photos point to very mild interior patina and near-perfect exterior condition. I didn’t say a perfect actual exterior, because the black color doesn’t hide that this car makes a Volvo 740 seem curvy. And even the wood trim and dash scarcely take the interior out of the dour zone. The present EURUSD rate puts the €13,999 asking price at around $15,000. Tack on $1,000+ for ocean shipment, a TBD amount for inland trucking, plus another $1,000 for customs duty and miscellaneous port charges, and the grand tally is in the $17,000 - $18,000 range. Fly to Germany to make this a vacation like we did with the CE, and you top out near $20,000. We don’t recall ever seeing an 8.32 listed in the U.S. for less than $25,000. What we don’t know is ultimate transaction prices. Either way, for (insert plain sedan name – Corolla, etc.) money, one can have a coveted, mellifluous, square sedan that’ll definitely be royalty at cars & coffee events. If that excites any readers, CICFS will be happy to be part of the sourcing, logistical, and retrieval process.

Maintaining a mental inventory of the local Alfa classifieds bears a certain risk. That risk came to light last winter, when a last-minute cancellation left me in Pennsylvania without a ride or flight back to Michigan. A simple problem, unless left to my internal problem-solving model. All models are wrong; some are useful. And, when I'm left in charge of calibrating the models, they point invariably to Alfa Romeo as the answer. Cognitive bias, to put it lightly. I was going to find a cheap Alfa to get me home.

Now, I have a history of rationalizing Alfa purchases. As my first Milano Verde sat engineless in my apartment garage, I convinced myself to bring home an Alfa 164LS daily driver. That 164 made it two weeks. A year later, that same Milano Verde burned down my garage, 3 other emerging European classics, and the majority of my backyard; I was back in a Verde within 45 days. Then there was the ran when parked Alfetta GTV shipped to my garage from California. And then the ran when parked GTV-6 we towed home from Indiana. Necessary, all of them.

“When you see me on the block, homie you don’t know me,” the seller of this GTV-6 pronounces from his front valence, but we do know that he finds a certain “Kady” and “Hari” to be important, based on his windshield decal. What else do we know? Let’s parse through the photos included in this vague Craigslist ad description to find some information.

First, the car has been aerodynamically altered – bumpers were removed, presumably to reduce drag on the racetrack, and a single plane spoiler has been engineered to decrease lift while maintaining a palatable level of drag. Surprisingly, the side mirrors were spared during the optimization process, most likely for a proper view of the trailing field on the racetrack. The interior is above average for a tan leather interior, based on what we’ve seen. Though the rear muffler is from a faster and more furious era, don’t be too quick to write it off, at least sonically speaking. Busso V6s are nearly impervious to the fart can – just hide it under the rear bumper to convey at least a modicum of taste.

Mechanically speaking, we rely on the seller’s description. A hot dog 164S 3.0L V6, rated at 200hp new, supplants the original 2.5L V6. In all seriousness, 3.0L GTV-6s are encouraged. No word on the last engine service, but as we’ve made clear in prior Busso V6 write-ups, the front end engine service is very reasonable to complete either in your home garage or in the trust of an Alfa mechanic. Around $1,000 or a Saturday – your choice. The transaxle, likely the original unit with an open diff, is claimed to shift without synchro grind on second gear. If true, remember to pause in neutral between shifts if you buy the car; patient shifting goes a long way in preserving shift quality.

Clearly this is not a car for a non-mechanical type, or someone looking for a no-excuses car for this spring. But, for the value shopper, we believe that unreported rust would be the only way to weaken the business for this offering. Swap the Verde wheels tea tray, bumpers, body cladding, and rear hatch sans spoiler from the parts car onto the 3.0L car, take the car into the shop for some economical but respectable paint, and work out the smaller items like brakes and suspension after you get the car back onto the street. Sell those fat Borbet wheels to recoup some cost, and make a determination on the parts car. If you have room, keep it around; otherwise, a weekend and a 6-8 large plastic totes will shrink it down to size.

Simple mission: someone please retrieve this ailing 1988 Milano Verde. Yes, the one that has been sitting for a very long time in the New Mexico sun.

Issues? The paint has faded to magenta - we say rock it. The Recaros are ratty - Centerline International has you covered with replacement upholstery. The car has been sitting - service it. The area where the doors meet the fenders have rust - ignore it! It's a $1,400 Verde, and it's all there.

I am selling an 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano 3.0 V6. This is a very rare italian sportscar. They are getting hard to find. Very peppy and fun to drive. 5 speed manual transmission, ac, power sunroof and windows. Factory sport seats. Is sitting for a very long time and has a fuel delivery problem. Probably just the fuel pump. Runs on starting fluid. Body is in decent shape for sitting outside for so long. I got stuck with my bmw projects and lost interest. Clean title in hands.

A certain rat rod Verde certainly sprang to mind when we found this listing. Something about the, uh, unique design of the Milano lends itself to rattiness. Get it running, then hit it with a solid front end engine service, go through the suspension bushings, and so on. These cars are surprisingly resilient- take advantage of it with this one.

This very much classifies as something we would buy with our own money, but do not quite have the space for. Let's save this deserving Verde from a parts car or scrapyard fate!

We are willing to overlook quite a bit in the name of promoting a metallic brown Quattroporte. Aftermarket wheels? The unfavorable DuoSelect automated manual transmission? Minor details, when there's brown paint involved.

The DuoSelect automated manual transmission, making use of a dry clutch and essentially a robotic clutch slave cylinder, is the subject of criticism from both the automotive press and the Maserati community. The press was not impressed with the sudden, direct shifts of the automated manual in automatic mode, which seemed more at home in something like a Ferrari F430. The Maserati community was alarmed by premature clutch wear, due mostly to poor modulation of the clutch when moving from a stop, especially on an incline. The criticism may have played a role in lackluster initial sales as well, because in 2007, Maserati began offering the Quattroporte with an automatic ZF transmission with improved drivability, first as an option, and then as standard.

This beautiful Italian vehicle, designed by Pininfarina, is in exceptional condition and has been extremely well cared for. All service is up to date and has been meticulously performed on a regular basis. Service records are on file and available from this factory-authorized service provider. This vehicle looks and drives very well with no issues present. This is a non-smoker vehicle, being sold by owner. No additional dealer fees or taxes will be applied to the final price.

This vehicle has only been been driven during the summer months and garage-kept since purchased. The exterior metallic brown paint compliments the chrome accents to produce a very elegant, yet sophisticated appearance. All glass and trim are in very good condition. The wheel and tires are in exceptional condition.

The Ferrari engine and F1 transmission are in very good condition and operate with reliable functionality. The performance-tuned exhaust produces a wonderful tone, showcasing this vehicle's performance Italian drive train. The braking system works well with no known issues.

The interior is wrapped with beautiful tan leather and rich wood appointments. All power options function without any issues. Complete with Maserati Navigation system. Carpets and headliner are in exceptional condition.

You will be very pleased with the overall condition and performance of this vehicle. Cash, bank-issued cashier's check/money order, and bank wire transfer payment methods accepted.

I have the original Maserati rims and tires that came with the car, they are included in the auction.

You'll find a clear car fax with no accidents what so ever. This car is mint and a real eye catcher. I'm the second owner and bought the car with 8100 miles on it. Always adult driven serviced at Maserati and never seen snow or salt.

Why then, suggest that the readers of Classic Italian Cars for Sale consider purchasing an earlier DuoSelect Quattroporte? First, we haven't driven one, so we don't know just how bad it really is. Based on our experience with automated manuals, they're only really only a hassle when moving at a relaxed pace. We're no strangers to the deep rasp of a 4.2 liter Maserati V8 at full boil, so our modest suggestion would be to drive the wheels off of it as often as possible and keep the transmission in manual mode. Not so difficult, right?

When negotiating for this low-mileage example, it would be wise to negotiate a price the includes only the OEM wheels, which the seller is offering with the sale. Just don't let the seller know how much you dig the full wood steering wheel or the tan Poltrona Frau leather with brown piping.

Here is a tired, yet surprisingly straight example of an 87 Alfa Romeo Milano Platinum. With minimal description provided, we'll need to work off of the photos to glean some information.

The seller reports that the car does not run, and little else, for that matter. A look at the engine shot shows a lack of a battery, but otherwise the engine bay is largely intact. The timing covers are removed, and the ignition wires are perched in such a way that leads us to believe that the seller gave up either before or after a timing belt job. A super close examination shows a mechanical timing belt tensioner in place of the mechanical tensioner, which means that the timing belt was replaced at least once in the car's life - useless information unless the service was in the last 3-5 years or 30,000 miles, give or take. Still, with the exception of some sort of internal mechanical failure, which is unlikely, the car probably needs only minor mechanical attention to get back onto the road. Figure on a fuel tank flush, fuel pump and filter, fresh 7.5mm fuel hose and clamps, a new timing belt, v belts, an air filter, plugs, and an oil change - less than $200 if you're good with a wrench.

The Platinum models represent the highest spec 2.5L Milano offered in North America. Powered leather and suede seats, a sunroof, power windows, cruise control, and power mirrors were compelling convenience features when the car was new in 1987. Drivers today will no doubt still be impressed by the car's torsion bar front suspension, 4.10 LSD 5 speed rear-mounted transaxle with inboard brakes, and DeDion rear suspension.

We recommend this car for the seasoned Alfisti, though a good home mechanic with experience in any European marque would make quick sense of a project like this. Once mechanically sorted, the buyer could tend to the ailing passenger fender, and might as well repaint the entire car at that point. Many Platinums in this condition are either converted into racecars, or parted out for their 4.10 LSD rear transaxles, which often make their way into the 3.0L Milano Verdes. We hope to see this car get a proper refresh from a patient enthusiast - we'd better not see this thing bombing around with a roll cage and stripped interior the next time we take the Verde to the track!

While an honest seller is invaluable when purchasing a 25 year old Italian car, where does one draw the line on honesty? Is it ever truly necessary to post a photo of your vehicle on a flatbed in a for sale ad? If no, give the seller of this 1991 164 S some credit for brutal honesty, at least.

According to the seller, a small engine fire wiped out some of the engine wiring harness, HVAC, and engine compartment components. In the process of repairing the damage, the seller stripped the entire engine bay down to bare metal, and reportedly rustproofed, primed, and painted the area back to factory specs. Yet to be completed is a full repaint of the front fenders and hood, as well as a replacement of melted plastic components on the engine.

Having spent more than our fair share of time under the hood of various 164s, we can appreciate the clean engine bay paintwork. It would be difficult to resist the temptation to bring the engine itself up to the level of finish already present in the engine bay. The rest of the exterior appear to be sorted cosmetically, though higher resolution photos would required to truly assess that. A few interior photos wouldn't hurt either - otherwise, the interior condition remains a mystery.

$4,500 is not quite average for a sorted 164 S with similar mileage, so the seller isn't completely unreasonable with their asking price. The remaining paint and assembly work will add up quickly, unless done yourself, so be sure to factor that into any offers. The OZ Superleggera wheels and Bosch Euro projector headlights sweeten the deal a bit, in our opinion. And, the recent brake, suspension, and steering rack maintenance, along with a reportedly rebuilt engine, should instill some level of confidence in any buyers' minds. We say check the car out in person, get a paint quote, and make a judicious offer - this could end up as quite a sharp 164 S in the hands of a knowledgable buyer!

Introduced to the North American market in 1975, the Alfetta ushered in an era of torsion bar front suspensions, DeDion rear suspension, and a rear transaxle with inboard disc brakes. On paper, it improves on the classic GTV formula, but a quick look at the market shows a clear bias for the earlier 105/115 series over the later 116 transaxle cars. As a result, finding a presentable, let alone rust-free Alfetta coupe is an evermore difficult prospect.

This bumperless example in Connecticut claims to be in rust-free condition, owing no doubt in part to its Texas provenance. Though rumors abound as to the exact source of systemic rust on the Alfetta models, it is absolutely recommend that any potential sellers do a thorough check for lurking rust before any commitments to this particular car are made. Especially vulnerable are the wheel arches, cowl area, rear hatch, and jack points. If the claimed rust-free condition turns out to be the truth, then the uncombed interior might be easier to overlook.

Some technical notes: the engine appears to have supported an A/C system at one point, owing to the stud-plug on the passenger side of the cylinder head. Also, a rebuilt engine could be a solid advantage, but we would contact the seller for details - who rebuilt it, and what parts were sourced for the build? And, we can't vouch for the specific brand of piston or headers that the seller reports as installed on this particular car, but both should promote a sporty character in line with the car - just don't expect to surprise anyone at a stoplight.

Very few Alfetta coupes remain on the road, and as such, the prices for clean cars have climbed out of the song and a dance category. Fortunately for potential buyers, parts car prices remain reasonable. We say make a competitive offer, source some Euro bumpers, recover the front seats, and drop in an ANSA rear muffler and enjoy a sorted Italian sports coupe for around $5,000.

With the Alfa Romeo 4C starting to trickle in to Fiat showrooms in the US, it's an opportune time to explore models of Alfa's past in preparation for a greater product onslaught of Italian machinery for the masses. The 75, or Milano as it was known in the US, perhaps wasn't appreciate enough in its day. Nowadays, however, this sedan is known as one of the last true Alfas, with rear-wheel drive, a rear mounted gearbox and in some cases, that sonorous V6 that the marque was known for. This 1988 75 3.0 V6 America for sale in Germany has the desirable V6/5-speed manual combination and with only 26,000 miles, looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.

Very nice and well maintained vehicle from a museum! A vehicle with very high fun factor! Incredible condition! Hard to come by in this condition. Delivery status! Car is absolutely original and was always dry!
New timing belt!
Viewing by appointment

Even though the dollar is gaining parity with the euro these days, this Alfa is still priced over the $20,000 mark, which is uncharted territory for these sedans this side of the Atlantic. We've seen a few low mileage examples crop up, but most struggle to reach the $10,000 to $12,000 mark. At most, I'd suspect this car might reach towards the $15,000 mark, simply due to its showroom condition. If you have the time and patience, there are still a few good Milanos to be had stateside, but it might take some time to source one. The price on this 75 might make it a bit prohibitive to import, but would certainly make for good conversation amongst the Alfisti. As the advertisement for the Milano aptly put it at the time: "driven to be different."